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The 86th Street Pub, 3661 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, has had the SpotOn system about three months, in which customers can use their cards to record their visits and earn rewards. / Charlie Nye / The Star.

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I’m addicted to rewards cards. There are 13 dangling from my key ring and seven in my wallet.

The newest one I’ve discovered, SpotOn, is also probably the coolest, because it’s geared toward small, local businesses.

When you visit your favorite local businesses — restaurants, dry cleaners, even veterinary clinics — you earn spots. Once you earn so many, you’ll get hooked up with rewards.

The California-based business launched in April 2012 and works with about 5,000 small businesses. Currently, 250 business are using SpotOn in the Indianapolis area, according to Matthew Hyman, co-founder of SpotOn.

I first spotted SpotOn at Ginger’s Café, 1804 E. Conner St., Noblesville. At the cash register, I noticed a black shiny Samsung tablet and orange SpotOn cards sitting underneath. Mikki Perrine, cafe owner, gave me a card; I waved it over the tablet and like that — I earned my first spot.

“People are just loving it,” Perrine said. “It’s not just because they get something free, it’s almost like a competition between my customers.”

You earn spots by going to the businesses and swiping your card — without even buying anything. And the card is universal — you can use it for all businesses, even those outside of Indianapolis.

“I like the idea that it benefits many different retailers under one card,” said Tracy Gritter, co-owner of Gallery 116, 8597 E. 116th St., Fishers. The art, gift and home decor shop has been offering SpotOn rewards for about a month. For one spot, you’ll get a ball chain pendant and after you earn five spots, you’ll get a free Ambre sample pack.

Brian Haan, general manager of the 86th Street Pub, 2661 W. 86th St., has been offering SpotOn rewards for about three months. Haan pays $60 a month for the service and the fee includes the loyalty cards and the tablet.

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At the pub, 10 spots will get you $5 off your meal, and 35 spots will get you a hoodie. Since starting the SpotOn program, Haan has seen a difference in business.

“People come in more frequently,” he said. “A lot of people want our hoodies. It’s really cool to see our logo around town.”

Over at popular Downtown eateryKing David Dogs, 135 N. Pennsylvania St., customers can redeem spots for a free side or hot dog. King David started using the program in November; Matthew Gibbs, general manager, said they were able to do away with other deal and coupon systems.

But it’s not just shops and restaurants that offer rewards. Kerry Balding of The Paw Patch, a veterinary clinic at 5510 Lafayette Road, said clients can redeem spots for a free wash.

You can download the SpotOn app on your Android or iPhone and it will locate SpotOn businesses within a 15-mile radius. When you log on to the app, you can also enter your birthday and receive birthday goodies from stores you’ve connected with. For more information, go to SpotOn.com.